The idea to tell the world about the feat of the Podolsk cadets, referring in the language of
cinema to today's younger generation, belongs to the legendary hockey player, State Duma
deputy from the Podolsky district Vyacheslav Fetisov. He spoke about it in 2016, and such a
proposal immediately aroused the public's response, uniting people around him in various
professions and interests. In Podolsk, the Podolsky cadets charitable foundation was actively
involved, in Obninsk - the volunteer detachment "Ilyinsky patrol", a non-commercial partnership
"People's Project" was created.

The feat of Podolsk cadets

History does not know such a massive feat of youth. Three and a half thousand cadets of the Podolsk infantry and artillery schools, boys and girls at the age of about 20, were thrown to the Mozhaisk defense line in October 1941, with the task, together with the forces of the 43rd Army, to delay the advance of the enemy for at least five days until the command collects a reserve. Most have not even finished short-term courses, yesterday’s schoolchildren, not fired in battles and poorly armed, became a wall in the way of a professional fascist army that easily conquered half of Europe. The Wehrmacht troops, despite the brutal artillery bombardments, massive air raids and tank attacks, could not break the resistance of the cadets. They stayed at the Ilyinsky border for 12 days, and none left positions. During the fighting at the line most of the cadets died, only about 300 people survived…

The film, which will be shot directly at the site of battles and carry a “memory of the earth”, is conceived as historically accurate. There is nothing fictional in it – it is an artistic story about real events and battles, real hero stories – Podolsk cadets and their commanders. In the film, the technique used in 1941 in the arsenal of the German and Red armies will be used. This picture, recreating the historical truth, will force the viewer to ponder over very important issues. Why did none of the cadets under the massive fascist fire bend and get scared? What made them the way they were? How did that inner spiritual core develop that held them in positions? It is also important that the film is not only targeted for the Russian viewer. It will also be turned to the world, telling it not only about the truth of the war, but also about the fortress of the spirit of the Russian people.

During the Patriotic War of 1812 Matvei Platov commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then covered the retreat of the army.

For his merits by the personal Highest ordinance of October 29 (November 10), 1812, the ataman of the Donskoi army, the general from the cavalry, Matvei Ivanovich Platov, was erected, with descending posterity, to the county dignity of the Russian Empire.

During the campaign of 1812, the Cossacks under the command of Matvei Platov took about 70 thousand prisoners, seized 548 guns and 30 banners, and also repulsed a huge number of valuables stolen from Moscow.

Interesting facts

In Zhukovsky’s poem “The Singer in the camp of Russian soldiers” one of the stanzas is dedicated to Matvei Platov:

Eagle noise in the clouds,
You wince through the field with a wolf,
Fly with fear in the rear of enemies,
You bite the ears in their ears;

They only to the forest – the forest revived,
Trees sprinkle arrows;
They only to the bridge – the bridge disappeared,
Only to the villages – the villages are flourishing … “

Matvey I. Platov became the first Russian to be awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of Oxford University.

Napoleon, in recognition of the military successes of the ataman gave him a precious snuff-box. From the French Order of the Legion of Honor, Matvey Platov refused, saying: “I did not serve Napoleon and I can not serve him.”

Alexander II

The Emperor of All Russia, the Tsar of Poland and the Grand Duke of Finland

"Russia is not a state of trade and not agricultural, but a military state, and its calling to be a
storm of light."

Alexander III

The Emperor of All Russia, the Tsar of Poland and the Grand Duke of Finland

"The Russian soldier is brave, stable and patient, therefore unbeatable. Take care of the
Russian soldier, he will never fail".

Alexander Suvorov

Russian commander, Founder of the domestic military theory

"The war is over only when the last soldier is buried".

Georgy Zhukov

Soviet commander. Marshal of the Soviet Union

"Time has no power over the greatness of everything that we experienced in the war. And the
people, once experienced great trials, will continue to draw strength from the victory".